Wildcats stomp Breakers

THE Perth Wildcats maintained pace with league-leading New Zealand with an emphatic 86-62 victory over the Breakers at Challenge Stadium on Friday night.

After giving up a 21-point lead for the second time this season against the Gold Coast Blaze last week, the Wildcats dominated the Breakers in the first half to lead by 27 points after a buzzer-beating triple from Drew Williamson.

New Zealand then scored 14 of the first 16 points in just over four minutes to start the third period - causing some nervous moments for the sell-out crowd - but the Cats steadied to lead by 25 at three-quarter-time and 24 in the end.

Jesse Wagstaff stepped up with 23 points at 60 per cent, Kevin Lisch added 18 and Damian Martin 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in an all-round showing from a Wildcats team missing big man Matt Knight, and then losing captain Shawn Redhage mid-game.

Cedric Jackson had 15 points, eight boards and four assists for the Breakers, with Thomas Abercrombie adding 14 points and Mika Vukona 13.